Ingredients

(Serves 4)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 cup yellow lentils, picked over, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups no-salt-added vegetable stock, chicken stock or broth
• 1/2 cup light coconut milk
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves, stemmed and chopped, or 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For garnish:

• 1 teaspoon white or black sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (fresh coriander)

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallot, ginger, curry powder and turmeric and cook, stirring until the spices are fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the lentils, stock and coconut milk. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer until the lentils are tender but still firm, about 12 minutes. The mixture should be brothy; add a little water if needed.

While the lentils simmer, toast the sesame seeds. Place the sesame seeds in a small, dry saute pan over medium heat. Cook briefly, shaking the pan often and watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove the seeds from the pan as soon as they begin to turn brown. Set aside.

Stir the spinach into the lentils, cover and simmer for about 3 minutes longer. The lentils should still hold their shape.

Uncover and stir in the salt. Garnish with the cilantro and toasted sesame seeds.